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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Satellites Above - What's Up?

I've received numerous emails from people all over, who think they may have seen a satellite in orbit. Well, what is a satellite? A satellite is an object that orbits (revolves) around another object. Our moon is a natural satellite. Objects put into orbit around our planet (and others) by human endeavors, are called artificial satellites.

Some satellites can be see with the naked eye, by observers on the ground. These are generally low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, while other satellites orbit too far out from our planet to be visible without a powerful telescope.

With today's technology, anyone can track most of the satellites in orbit around Earth. For those of you attached to your mobile phones, there's an app for that.

Meanwhile, here is some useful information on satellites, which I hope will increase your star-gazing pleasure. -SW

Geostationary Orbit (GEO)These satellites are in orbit above the Earth's equator. They stay above the same location on Earth. They are used for telecommunications, television transmission and for navigation.

Low Earth orbit (LEO)A satellite has a Low Earth Orbit when it orbits somewhere between 300 and 800 km above the Earth's surface. These satellites only take about 90 minutes to go around the Earth. They are ideal for making observations of the Earth's resources.

Polar OrbitsA polar orbit is a special LEO in which a satellite travels north-south over the Earth's poles, rather than in the more usual east-west direction. Polar orbits can be used to map the complete Earth once a day. This is needed for weather forecasts.

Global Positioning System (GPS) satellitesThis is a fleet of satellites which allows us to know exactly where on Earth we are.

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LITS is a site dedicated to the study of the UFO and alien phenomena. You'll find information about UFO sightings, alien abductions, astronomy, science and technology.

This is a Non-profit site. Comments that contain URLs will be deleted.

I do not edit comments, so if you don't want your address posted and you have a question, or have had a sighting you wish to report, please email me directly, rather than post a comment. My email addresses are listed on the "Report UFO Sightings" page. Thank you.

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About Lights In The Texas Sky

In this blog, you will read eye witness accounts of UFO sightings, that have been submitted to MUFON, NUFORC and other respected UFO research organizations. Manyof these reports will be of sightings that occurred in the state of Texas.

Only a very few reports are my own sightings. Some reports are those that have been submitted directly to LITS.

On LITS, you will also read editorials, commentary and science news that is pertinent to UFO research and our world today.

It is my goal and that of my colleagues, to search for the truth behind the UFO phenomena, to be respectful of witnesses and to share this truth with the world.

LITS is a non-profit group, with no ties to any government agencies. As concerned citizens, we seek answers to the UFO Phenomena.

If you have witnessed an unidentified flying object, or had an encounter with an unknown aircraft or it's occupants, please contact LITS and submit your report.

Stay safe and keep watching the sky!

Sunny Williams - LITS

"There is nothing as powerful as the truthand often nothing as strange."-Daniel Webster

About the Author

Also known as "Sky Watcher", I am a retired photographer, Photo Tech., Computer Tech., and Artist, now working full time as a UFO Researcher/Investigator.
I have also received training in scientific remote viewing.
It is my goal to give readers of LITS the data to make informed decisions. It is not a matter of 'believing', it is a matter of 'knowing.'

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